Game Info: 8:00 pm EST Thu Nov 25, 2004
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- When Tennessee and Texas agreed to move their game from mid-December to Thanksgiving night, coaches Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt took a deep breath. Both knew this showdown would be a big early test.
Yet the No. 1 Lady Vols and No. 4 Longhorns both saw a chance to put two of the best women's programs in the holiday spotlight of national TV. The game will be broadcast by ESPN2 on a night when few other games are competing for viewers.
``That was the whole point,'' Conradt said. ``It made our schedule tough ... but I think both of us are committed to showcasing not only our teams but our sport.''
For Summitt's Lady Vols, it will be the third of four games in a week but an opportunity she couldn't pass up. After Texas, the Lady Vols meet Temple with a Dec. 2 date with No. 10 Duke looming.
``I said there was no way we needed to do it because we would need rest and preparation time, but at the same time I thought what a great window of opportunity for this game and for these two programs,'' Summitt said. ``We obviously have had a great rivalry that has extended over the years and been one of the best in the women's game. ''
Summitt and Conradt rank 1-2 as the winningest coaches in women's college basketball, although both play down their numbers rivalry. Summitt has lost the last three matchups with Conradt.
``It's not about the number of wins,'' said Summitt, who stands at 854 career victories and counting, five ahead of Conradt. ``For me, it's just about the team I'm coaching right now.''
Her team is loaded with a mix of veterans sprinkled with freshman talent from the nation's top recruiting class. The Lady Vols (3-0) are the queens of the Southeastern Conference trifecta that tops this week's national rankings, just ahead of No. 2 LSU and No 3 Georgia.
Senior Shyra Ely is a preseason All-American who led the Lady Vols to last season's NCAA national title game, where they lost to Connecticut. The highlight of the freshman class so far as been the play of guard Alexis Hornbuckle, who averages nine points coming off the bench in the first three games.
Texas (1-1) returned four starters from last year's team that spent two weeks at No. 1 and advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament before losing to LSU.
Seniors Heather Schreiber and Jaime Carey and sophomore Tiffany Jackson all are candidates for national player of the year honors.
That kind of talent made it surprising that Texas would blow a 15-point lead on the road in a 78-64 loss Sunday at Georgia. Jackson scored 27 and Schreiber 22 but the Longhorns did little else right.
``We had All-American performances from Tiffany and Heather and not much balance on either end of the floor,'' Conradt said. ``It was a surprise.''
Texas is still trying to adjust to a new motion offense after four years of its inside-out approach with Stacy Stephens at center. Stephens graduated and Conradt is trying to make better use of Jackson and Schreiber.
Summitt expects a fast-paced game. The Longhorns' ability to produce points in transition was a key to beating the Lady Vols the last three years, Summitt said.
``We're going to need our legs,'' Summitt said. ``Against Texas, we're going to have to go up and down.''
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